Lavra lawyer: Tkachenko's statement on evicting monks is just a manipulation

Lawyer of the Lavra Archpriest Nikita Chekman. Photo: Chekman's Facebook

On June 6, 2023, the lawyer of the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, Archpriest Nikita Chekman, on his Telegram channel commented on the statements of the Minister of Culture O. Tkachenko that the monks should leave the monastery within 3 days.

“The publication of Tkachenko is a blatant manipulation of public opinion,” the priest said. “Mr. Minister writes that the reserve will go to court. Excuse me, but what kind of lawsuit did the reserve file with the court a few months ago? After all, a case is pending on the claim of the reserve in the Economic Court of Kyiv.”

The lawyer said that a preparatory meeting was held the day before, which was postponed for another month due to the fact that the reserve has not yet provided the court with any evidence that the monastery violated something in its activities.

The Ministry of Culture did not provide such evidence to the monastery either, despite repeated appeals.

“Consequently, they found shortcomings, but they are silent about proofs whatsoever, referring to the fact that this is information for official use,” said Fr. Nikita. “Therefore, Tkachenko's statements are manipulative. We need to understand this and draw conclusions.”

Earlier, the UOJ wrote that Tkachenko demanded that the UOC vacate the Lavra within three days.

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